Fidelma on the Economy

A good economy is an essential for a society to be able to function and provide for the services its people need – health, education, transport, social welfare.  An economy is therefore not just about the provider of wealth as an end in itself but for the good it can provide for its people, now and in the future.

Recently, we have seen our economy fail mainly because it wasn’t built on a solid foundation. Over-reliant on the property bubble, once the stamp duty dried up, so too did its main source of revenue. This mistake is a result of the lack of vision on the part of our leaders in government (FF, PDs, Greens) and the mismanagement of the money it took in during the boom years. There was no plan, the economy was allowed to manage itself and when the money stopped flowing in, unfortunately the only solution this government has are cuts and higher taxes (levies).  Uninspiring. The outcome – a nation in shock. Is it any wonder people are angry when they were completely misled.

So the lesson for me is that an economy must be managed carefully if it is to provide for its people’s needs. We have a huge challenge on our hands now.

Fidelma’s priorities for business are:

1. Support jobs – find ways to keep people at work. Job retention is just as important as job creation in a downturn.

2. Support Business, particularly indigenous business that is committed to Ireland.

3. Support Employers, they are the multipliers. Get rid of employer’s PRSI, that is a tax on employment.

4. Provide Work placement programmes – work for the dole. Give people a meaningful purpose so they feel productive.

5. Respect farming, our original industry. The provider of food, the world needs. Find ways to make farming profitable.

6. Market, market, market – sell our goods and services nationally and internationally.

7. Provide for a new Social partnership – one that respects business and values its place at the table.

8. Find new ways of providing for our needs – eg. Green energy, renewables.

9. Emphasise creativity in education. Encourage and cultivate the entrepreneur in our education system.

10. Celebrate the employer - employee relationship – business needs both to function.

 

Click HERE to see Fidelma’s latest work on Business, Enterprise and the Economy